Then, believing that he had thus obtained a second victory over the adversary of the church,[1] the emperor proceeded to celebrate a triumphal festival in honor of God.[2] About this time Constantine completed the twentieth year of his reign. On this occasion public festivals were celebrated by the people of the provinces generally, but the emperor himself invited and feasted with those ministers of God whom he had reconciled, and thus offered through them, as it were, a suitable sacrifice to God. No bishop lacked anything at the imperial banquet, the circumstances of which were splendid beyond description. Detachments of the bodyguard and other troops with drawn swords surrounded the entrance of the palace [at Nicaea], and through the midst of these the men of God proceeded without fear into the innermost of the imperial apartments. Some were the emperor’s own companions at table, while others reclined on couches arranged on either side. One might have thought that a picture of Christ’s kingdom was thus foreshadowed, and a dream rather than reality. After the celebration of this brilliant festival, the emperor courteously received all his guests and generously added to the favors he had already bestowed by personally presenting gifts to each of them according to his rank.[3]

Full of joy at this success, the emperor presented, as it were, pleasant fruits in the way of letters to those who had not been present at the council. He commanded also that ample gifts of money should be bestowed on all the people, both in the country and the cities, in honor of the festive occasion of the twentieth anniversary of his reign.

And now, when all else was at peace, among the Egyptians [Melitians] alone a relentless conflict still raged, so as once more to disturb the emperor’s tranquility, though not to excite his anger. For indeed he treated the contending parties with all respect, as fathers, no rather, as prophets of God! Again he summoned them to his presence and again patiently acted as mediator between them, honored them with gifts, and communicated also the result of his arbitration by letter. He confirmed and sanctioned the decrees of the council and called on them to strive earnestly for peace and not to distract and rend the church but to keep in mind God’s judgment. And these instructions the emperor sent by a letter written with his own hand.

Besides these, his writings on similar subjects are very numerous, and he was the author of many letters, some to the bishops, in which he laid instructions in regard to tending to the advantage of the churches of God; and sometimes the thrice-blessed emperor addressed the people of the churches generally, calling them his own brothers and fellow-servants.[4]

When the council was on the point of being finally dissolved, he summoned all the bishops to meet him on an appointed day and on their arrival addressed them in a farewell speech, in which he admonished them[5] to be diligent in the maintenance of peace, to avoid contentious disputations amongst themselves, and not to be jealous if any one of their number should appear preeminent for wisdom and eloquence. Rather he exhorted them to esteem the excellence of one as a blessing common to all. On the other hand, he reminded them that the more gifted should refrain from exalting themselves unfairly in relation to their humbler brothers since it is God’s prerogative to judge real superiority. Rather should they considerately condescend to the weaker, remembering that absolute perfection in any case is a rare quality indeed. Each then should be willing to tolerate slight offenses from another, to regard charitably and pass over mere human weaknesses, holding mutual harmony in the highest honor. In this way their dissensions might never give a reason for mockery to those who are ever ready to blaspheme the word of God, whom indeed we should do all in our power to save, something that will not happen unless our conduct seems to them attractive. But you are well aware of the fact that intellectual ideas by no means bring blessing to everyone; for some who hear are focused merely on attaining bodily necessities, while others court the patronage of their superiors; some fix their affection on those who treat them with hospitable kindness, others again, being honored with presents, love their benefactors in return. But few are they who really desire words of truth, and it is rare indeed to find a friend of truth. Hence one must try to meet everyone’s situation, and, like a physician, to administer to each that which brings health to his soul, with the hope that all may honor the teaching of salvation. Such was the former part of his exhortation. In conclusion he instructed them to offer diligent prayers to God on his behalf.

Having thus taken leave of them, he gave them all permission to return to their respective countries, and this they did with joy, and from then on that unity of judgment at which they had arrived in the emperor’s presence continued to prevail, and those who had long been divided were bound together as members of the same body.[6]

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Last updated: 12-19-2024 by JSW

[1] The first being his defeat of the pagan tetrarchs and the legalization of the church after the great persecution.

[2] Eus. LC 3.13. Constantine celebrated his vicennalia beginning July 25, 325.

[3] Eus. LC 3.15-16.

[4] Eus. LC 3.22-24.

[5] From this point on the rest of the long paragraph seems to be recording in indirect discourse part of Constantine’s parting speech to the bishops. See the last sentence of the paragraph.

[6] Eus. LC 3.21.

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